When choosing a travel nursing job, there are many questions to ask yourself.

With so many different opportunities out there for travel nurses, it can be difficult to identify exactly which travel nursing jobs will be best for your career and your lifestyle. While your dedicated Onward Healthcare recruiter will guide you through the process, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind with each and every assignment you come across.

Whether you are just starting out or you’ve been a travel nurse for years, here’s a list of questions our recruiters suggest you keep in mind to help you choose the right travel nursing assignment.

1) How long is the assignment?

This is an important question because the answer directly affects your personal comfort and what your resume looks like.  Moving around between a variety of assignments is one of the best perks of a travel nursing career, but it might leave you feeling worn out and travel weary. Conversely, you might get bored in an assignment that lasts longer than the typical 13 weeks. Either way, you must consider your personal comfort no matter how appealing an assignment is.

2) Where is the assignment?

While Hawaii and Key West might be at the top of your assignment location list, you’ll probably have to consider assignments that take you to regular metro or suburban areas first. The trick here is to think about what the area offers in terms of climate, transportation, local cuisine and regional entertainment. The time you spend outside of your travel nursing assignment is important too, so make sure you pick locations that cater to your personal comfort as well as your professional goals.

3) What’s the pay?

As a travel nurse, you know you’re receiving a higher salary and better compensation options than most non-travel nurses, but did you know your take home can also depend on a number of other factors? For example, there are certain parts of the country where you’ll make a higher salary simply because the cost of living is higher there and paychecks are higher in general. Travel nurses also enjoy the option to pocket their housing subsidy if they want to take care of their own housing needs or tax free per diem depending on the location of their permanent residence.

4) Where will you be living?

A career in travel nursing comes with a variety of housing options that can fit just about any lifestyle, so where you call home during your assignment is completely up to you. When the housing is set up for you, you’ll start your assignment without the worry of finding a rental or lining up furnishings. On the other hand, if the assignment is in a city where you have friends or family you can stay with, or if you may just want to find your own place to stay and use our housing concierge program.

5) What will this assignment do for your career?

Perhaps the most important aspect of your next assignment to consider is how it will benefit your career in the long run. You should be matched up with opportunities that are perfect for your skill and experience level, but also offer you a chance to grow professionally. Your next assignment might offer you the right type of challenge that will push you to the next level and help you build your resume to get the next opportunity you are looking for.

Before you sign up for your next travel nursing assignment, ask yourself these questions to make sure it’s the right assignment for you, and don’t forget to check in with the dedicated recruiters at Onward Healthcare. They’re always willing to answer your questions and offer you the guidance you need in your travel nursing career.

Travel Nurse Recruiter, Lindsay Francis

In our brand new episode of Travel Nursing Insider, we tackle the most common misconceptions about working as a traveling nurse so you can tell the difference between fact and fiction. Travel nursing recruiters Lindsay Francis (pictured) and Suzanne Johnson  dive into the reality behind common travel nursing myths including career stability, cost of living and the length of assignments.

They also discuss how permanent and temporary employees tend to get along, plus whether or not there’s an age limit for travel nurses. Whether you’re considering a career in travel nursing or you’ve been in the industry for years, this episode is definitely worth a listen. To listen to the show, visit the Travel Nursing Insider home page or download the episode from the TNI podcast page on iTunes.

Katherine P., RN – PACU Nurse currently on assignment in Arizona

“Katherine’s strong communications skills make her a pleasure to work with, both for our team and her nurse manager and colleagues. Katherine continually exhibits strong commitment to the traveling nurse profession, which shined brightly last month. Katherine had a family emergency that would’ve caused most nurses to walk from their assignment, however due to the strong relationship she had developed with her nurse manager, she arranged for 5 days off, traveled home to attend the situation, and then proceeded back to finish her assignment.  She explained to us that she made a commitment to the hospital and it was her duty to honor it. Katherine’s dedication was truly noble!”

Submitted by: Andrea Z., Travel Nurse Director, Florida

Mary Ann H., PT – Travel physical therapy assistant currently on assignment in Massachusetts

“Mary Ann has been a first rate employee and a great humanitarian since she started with us as a travel physical therapist over a year ago. In addition to being a committed employee, she devotes her spare time to charity work and clinic building in third world countries. Her professionalism and quality of work is so impressive that her manager continually seeks us out to renew her at least one to two months in advance. With all of her attributes she remains humble and without a sense of entitlement and an absolute joy to work with!”

Submitted by: Barbara J., Senior Allied Recruiter, Wilton

Sera C., Travel Nurse Director

In the 7th episode of the award winning podcast series Travel Nursing Insider, travel nurse director Sera C. (pictured) explains how the travel nurse renewal process works when on assignment. Sera advises when you should begin thinking about your next travel nursing job and the different requirements involved in extending an assignment verses changing facilities. Finally she gives her insight as to how the compliance and benefits process works when changing assignments, as well as how to go about scheduling vacation time. To listen to the podcast, visit iTunes via the image link below or visit the Travel Nursing Insider website.

Kathleen K., PTA – Travel physical therapy assistant currently on assignment in North Carolina

“Kathleen is an excellent therapist, wonderful person, and all around exemplary traveler. Kathleen has that special kind of personality where her on-going cheerful optimism is contagious to all those around her. After working with Kathleen for almost 3 years, what I appreciate most is her dedication and loyalty to both her company and her job. Both Onward Healthcare and every facility Kathleen is placed with are truly lucky to have her working on their team.”

Submitted by: Gillian D., Senior Travel Allied Recruiter, Wilton

Adegoke A., RN – ICU/ER Nurse currently on assignment in New York

“Adegoke has been with All Care / Onward Healthcare since 1999. His loyalty and dedication have constantly shined during that time. He has completed a number of travel nursing assignments and local positions in the NYC and Long Island area with over ten major healthcare facilities in his ten years of service. His skills are superb, his attendance and reliability are almost perfect, and his eagerness to obtain his next assignment is always intense. Most of all, Adegoke is committed to delivering quality patient care everywhere he goes, which show from the great feedback we get from his managers and colleagues.”

Submitted by: Catalina V., Nurse Recruiter, Melville

Desiree J., RN – PICU Travel Nurse currently on assignment in Arizona

“In my 6+ years in the travel nursing industry, Desiree is truly is one of the best travelers I have ever worked with. She came to me as a first time traveler in November of 2007 and has been working with Onward Healthcare ever since. She is one of the best nurses I’ve ever dealt with in regards to having her compliance in order for each assignment and she carries that sense of responsibility and work ethic to the hospital as well. Desiree consistently gets awesome references from every facility she works with and gets an awesome one from me as well!”

Submitted by: Stacy B., Travel Nurse Director, Encinitas

Maria J., Occupational Therapist – Travel OT currently on assignment in Michigan

“Maria has been with us for almost a year now and has been an absolute joy to work with! When she first contracted with us, she dealt with long commutes at two different facilities, but chose to stay with us due to her great sense of loyalty. Maria is an absolute team player and it consistently shows from the feedback from her managers. Maria has gotten rave reviews and extension offers at each facility she’s been with. We’re extremely glad she has continued to work with Onward!”

Submitted by: Darius F., Travel Allied Recruiter